Antique French green Conscience pot - large 15"

This superb 'conscience' water jug dates from the late eighteenth / early nineteenth century and is from southwest France. It has handles along each side, originally used for threading through rope for easy  transportation.

A lovely piece to display in a collection of antique French yellow and green pottery. Conscience jugs have a lovely history. They were used to collect olive oil for the poor after the olive harvest by the church. Carried by priests, after olive oil donations were given, the priest would then bless the donor's conscience.